India Open: Pawar's dream run ends in semis

New Delhi - Mumbai shuttler Anand Pawar’s dream run ended at the India Open Super Series after he lost his men’s singles semifinal against Japanese Kenichi Tago at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here Saturday.

Sixth seed Tago won 21-16, 21-11 in 43 minutes to increase his career head-to-head to 2-0. The last time they played was at the Scottish International Championships way back in 2007.

The World No.9 proved too good for Pawar who could not keep up with the pace of the Japanese. Pawar’s smashes were easily picked by Tago, who regularly aimed them at Pawar’s body.

Tago was dominant from the back of the court hitting 23 smashes to Pawar’s 16. The Japanese was immaculate at the net winning 13 points to Pawar’s three.

The sixth seed will face the winner of the match between top seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and Thai seventh seed Boonsak Ponsana.